Post Chemo appetite increase

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tangandchris
tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
edited August 2014 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Okay...I'm hungry all.the.time now that chemo has ended. I lost about 25lbs during chemo and thought that was one of the few good things that came from it. But now I'm eating alot, I am hungry and I'm wondering what the deal is. Logically I think this is just a way that my body is trying to heal from this terrible ordeal. I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced this?

My hunger comes on quickly and strongly as well. Like normally if I were to feel hungry I wouldn't feel like I need to eat NOW. These days it is like FEED ME NOW!! lol

I'm gonna talk to my oncologist next week about it, but I wanted to check with ya'll too.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2014

    Yes!! I'm ashamed to say I've gained well over 35 pounds. Like you, I'm hungry ALL the time. I thought I was the only one that gained rather than lost. I can't seem to get my appetite under control. I crave things I've NEVER eaten before. A lot of sweet things. I find I have a tremendous appetite!! I still have three more Herceptin infusions so I'm hoping once that's done my appetite will decrease!!

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited July 2014

    Ladies....make sure you are getting enough PROTEIN. You still need much more than normal. That will curb your appetite and help your body rebuild. If you are hungry all the time, your body is trying to tell you something. Expect to need more protein than normal for at least another year.

    You will eat much less of everything else if you meet this basic need.

    BTW - needing extra protein happens whenever you put extra stress on your body. I just did a double century bicycle ride. Even though a week later, I am still experiencing the symptoms you describe. And yes, I had an extra pulled pork sandwich at an open house a few days ago. I have been known to eat 2 lunches too whenever I do this.

    So have that extra helping or 2 of protein. (You can look up nutritional guidelines: Protein and Cancer patients.)  Nourish your body. I found I needed to shoot for 80g per day.  - Claire

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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited July 2014


    Funny you mention protien....I have been craving protien things. Cheese sticks, almonds....etc. I'm going to try increasing protien over the next few days to see if this makes an impact. Gonna boil some eggs and keep them in fridge and get some cheese and almonds. I've never even counted my protien intake before. sheesh!

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited July 2014

    The other thing I found immediately post chemo (and for about a year afterwards) is that I just didn't have energy reserves. So when I exercised, I needed those energy potions. Sometimes, when I did endurance events, I needed one of EVERYTHING in my cycling bag. If you have to pop a GU gel to get through the long walk or hike, do it.

    I was fine for normal activities (as long as I ate enough protein) but I did need that extra when cycling 25 miles. I slugged down the energy potion (and ibuprofen as still achy) and did the deed.

    Now, I am stronger than ever cycling. So you do eventually get there. - Claire

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  • Lauralind5
    Lauralind5 Member Posts: 220
    edited August 2014


    I'm so glad I found this topic !  I've gained about 35 lbs since finishing treatment. I cannot control this appetite.  I know at first it was the I had breast cancer I can eat what I want but that was only a few weeks of that.  I've steadily gained, even when I was going through a post breast cancer workout program. And Claire thanks for also mentioning the energy reserves. I've been so frustrated trying to get my strength and be able to really work out again, if I do much physical exercise at all, I'm exhausted, like done.

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